H 5051 General Bill, By Rutherford
 A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-53-80, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976,
 RELATING TO LICENSES FOR BAIL BONDSMEN AND RUNNERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT
 LICENSED BAIL BONDSMEN AND RUNNERS MUST BE ISSUED IDENTIFICATION CARDS WHICH
 THEY MUST POSSESS WHEN THEY PERFORM THEIR DUTIES.

   03/30/04  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-9
   03/30/04  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-9

TO AMEND SECTION 38-53-80, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO LICENSES FOR BAIL BONDSMEN AND RUNNERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT LICENSED BAIL BONDSMEN AND RUNNERS MUST BE ISSUED IDENTIFICATION CARDS WHICH THEY MUST POSSESS WHEN THEY PERFORM THEIR DUTIES.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 38-53-80 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 38-53-80.    (A)    No A person may not act in the capacity of a professional bondsman, surety bondsman, or runner or perform any of the functions, duties, or powers prescribed for professional or surety bondsmen or runners under the provisions of this chapter unless that person is qualified, except for an accommodation bondsman, licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. No A license may not be issued to a professional bondsman, surety bondsman, or runner except as provided in this chapter.

(B)    The applicant shall apply for a license or renewal of a license on forms prepared and supplied by the director or his designee. The director or his designee may ask the applicant any questions, written or otherwise, relating to his qualifications, residence, prospective place of business, and any other inquiries which, in the opinion of the director or his designee, are necessary in order to protect the public and ascertain the qualifications of the applicant. The director or his designee shall request that the State Law Enforcement Division conduct any reasonable investigation relative to the determination of the applicant's fitness to be licensed or to continue to be licensed.

(C)    The failure of the applicant to secure approval of the director or his designee does not preclude him from applying as many times as he desires, but no application may be considered by the director or his designee within one year subsequent to the date upon which the director or his designee denied the applicant's last application.

(D)    The department must issue to every licensed surety bondsman and runner an identification card which they must possess when they perform their duties."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.